San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1887-06-23
Reign OF Terror.
Texas Christian Advocate. |


Up to this time / have not written
a word in favor of prohibition. lam
an earnest advocate OF the measure,
and have done what l could in pri-
vate way to forward the great move
ment. 1 have taken this course be
cause I felt that my pastoral charge
demanded all my time and energy
and preferred to hold to my special
work and leave the campaign in the
hands of men more competent and
having more time.
I feel now that must speak to the
Methodist people OF Texas; for /
think am in a position to put many
good citizens who are misled or who
are still IN doubt, on the right side OF
this question.
San Antonio, it is we'll known, is
the stronghold Of the rum power in
our state. There ale several large
breweries here, and the saloons, 1 am
tNa nanbsEs 5 sas a@Sft al@aSSftnp prssSsv vbBfRgHs
our city. The saloon men really
have control of the city. Being strong
and confident, they dare do just what
they would do everywhere, if they
were only able. In short, ifyou want
to form q correct opinion as to the
nature Of this power, see how it
works in a city where it dares show
it's true spirit.
LITTLE HISTORY
Soon after the adjournment OF our
legislature, the prohibitionists OF San
Antonio began to take steps looking
to thorough organization. They
hired Turner Hall and held a public
meeting. In a very few days it was
nude known through the daily press
that the Turner's had met and passed
resolution declaring that prohib-
tionists should not have their hall
"for love or money!" They then
made application to the sheriff for
the court honse, but received a most
emphatic refusal:
Nothing daunted, they went to the
city council and asked for permission
to meet on the public plazas. These
plazas have heretofore been the com :
mon property of all who desired to
use them, from the chill vender and
the patent medicine bawler to the
pothouse politician.
mol
But The august city council OF San
Antonio said no, you caunot even
hold your meetings in the citys pub
lie squares.
LAST RESORT.
Tn the central part OF the city is II
vacant space recently purchased by
the United States for custom house.
As a last resort, the prohibition lead
ers went to the proper authorities
and begged TO be allowed to
use this open ground for q public
meeting. Col. Ford said he had no
authority to grant the request, but
certainly would not dirturb them.
Last Tuesday hand bills were scatter
ed through the city announcing that
Bishop Turner, of the African Nj. f.
church, would speak on the vacant
government lots at night. Late In
the evening wagons were taken to this
meeting place, which were to serve
as platforms. The negroes who
brought them were forced, by police
authority, 10 take them away. BY
dark an immense crowd had gather
ed on and around the vacant space.
The prohibitionists being determined
to assert their right to free speech IN
spite OF
PRosCuPTTvE DEsPoTIsM
placed some goods boxes in the mid
die Of the open lots and Judge
Brooker. OF the State executive com
mittee, mounted one and proceeded
to announce the purpose Of the gath
eng. He was greeted with misses
and deafening yells. and opprobrlous
epithets Finding il impossible TO
make himself heard. be ct last re-
lncianily disnOuntel
EI-HoP TUExEE
then attempted to SPEAK, bat re-
e ived the sane treatment and vas
c5npeIlei 10 give mp. Dockgo0d- a
noted saloon keeper vas lo1ily cali